POLIO CAMPS: A VALUABLE TRAINING EXPERIENCE.

Introduction: Despite worldwide vaccination programmes Polio is still endemic in some developing countries. Numerous new cases of polio are seen every year in India resulting in significant childhood deformity. The Rotary Club funds voluntary camps aimed at correcting deformities in children. I was part of the surgical team in Jan 2007 led by Mr. J. Clegg. Clinical experience: Some 141 procedures were carried out in 3 days, 99 by SPR’s under senior supervision. The most frequent procedure was a supra-condylar femoral osteotomy, followed by hip and knee soft tissue releases. For more complex operations we assisted or observed. Some deformity corrections were for non-polio cases. Interesting cases in the OPD included skeletal dysplasias, rickets and congenital deformities. Conclusion: At the time where MMC restricts overseas training opportunities, I believe this type of mini-fellowship provides valuable experience. Training programmes should have such opportunities available to all trainees.